Are you an artist who has always wanted to join APAP and attend APAP|NYC? Now is the perfect time to become a member! Introducing the new Artist Access membership, a new pilot program for self-represented, individual artists who are brand... Read more →
Drew Foxman wanted to create an organization that would do more than present or produce music, that could do more than facilitate exchange or collaboration between diverse artists. He wanted to use the tools he’d witnessed in international community development and social innovation to train forward-thinking young musicians to go into their home communities and engage in hands-on projects to make things better. After years of thinking about the issues and honing in on the right plan, he launched Giant Steps, home of the Music Action Lab. Its first cohort, featuring musicians from half a dozen countries, gathered in the Bay Area last year for a month of training, playing, and performing. Foxman’s approach exemplifies a new generation of broad, tech-friendly initiatives popping up in the world music scene, melding the roles of label, presenter, and management, all with an unflagging emphasis on musician empowerment and social good. Read more →
Matthew Covey of CoveyLaw has decades of experience with the US visa system, as it pertains to artists and bands coming to America to perform. He’s been an active, compelling voice advocating key shifts in visa policy for the arts. He’s also an immigration lawyer, which gives him special insight into the current confusing atmosphere about what musicians need to consider as they prepare to play in the US. We ran a few of the most common and pressing questions by Matt, and he gave us some helpful tips and information for artists seeking visas. Read more →
SXSW is only days away. We've assembled a list of some of the most interesting speakers, sessions, and showcases that will be relevant to those of us in the world music community. And of course we hope you will join... Read more →
SXSW attendees! We hope you will join us for our yearly meetup of world music folk. Gather with your friends, your kindred spirits, new faces and old. Join us for an informal conversation and networking session. You will meet lots... Read more →
It’s never been easy for international artists to make a profit touring in North America. The costs of travel, accommodations, and visa processing are higher for international artists, yet ticket sales and booking budgets are not higher than for other artists. While international artists and their teams may face offers they consider low from presenters, here are 7 tips to increase the viability of touring in North America that came out of the Wavelengths: APAP World Music Preconference Read more →
Fiona Black discusses what she looks for when booking an artist, shifting concert interests and blurring cultural lines. Read more →
David Chavez of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs gives advice and insight into getting your performance onto any stage. Read more →
An informative interview with Lincoln Center staff on getting your performance into public spaces. Read more →
The Art of the Plan in Interesting Times
February 23, 2016
"May you live in interesting times." This infamous curse is one many world musicians feel acutely. Times are indeed interesting for the music business: The old ways have collapsed. The new ways are opaque, untested, and fragmented. As an artist,... Read more →